You have heard of getting your regular dental checkups every six months. Sometimes your dentist may recommend that you come in more frequently for additional work. The additional visits are often part of restorative dentistry.

​​​​​​​Restorative dentistry is a group of procedures that dentists often use to restore your oral health to its peak condition. The procedures can be aimed at correcting chipped or cracked teeth, decay, discolor, or missing teeth. Typically, if your teeth were damaged by trauma or a developmental issue, they can be qualified for restorative dentistry.

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Your Initial Assessment

In order to qualify for restorative care, your dentist will conduct an initial assessment. This will help you both understand the extent of the damage and the level of care that you will require. This visit will usually utilize a visual inspection, imaging like X-rays, and some mechanical evaluation to see how sound your teeth are.

Upon the completion of the assessment, your dentist can help to recommend a care plan specially tailored for you. If the damage is minor, your dentist may be able to complete the entire plan in that first visit, but typical plans take at least a few visits to finish.

The range of your needs can also vary widely. Some restorative dentistry will only require your dentist and their local office, while other procedures could include maxillofacial surgeons, endodontists or prosthodontists. The level of anesthesia required can also greatly vary.

Types of Restorative Dentistry

Depending on your needs, your dentist can suggest a variety of procedures. One of the most common restorative dentistry practices is fillings.

  • Fillings – Dental fillings help to remove the bacteria that has created a small hole through the enamel of your tooth. Your dentist will remove the damaged portions of the tooth and ensure that the bacteria has been removed before “filling” the hole to seal out any other possible damage.
  • Veneers – Veneers are thin porcelain sheets that are glued over the front of the teeth. Veneers are useful to hide cracked, chipped, or uneven teeth.
  • Crowns and Bridges – Crowns fully encase the tooth to seal out any bacteria or food particles from getting into the tooth. Crowns are often used after a root canal has been completed and can help keep the tooth in place without exposing it to more damage. Bridges are designed to prosthetically replace a missing tooth. The prosthetic tooth is attached to crowns that sit on either side of the missing tooth to give the appearance and function of the now missing tooth.
  • Implants – Implants are prosthetic devices that are also designed to replace a missing tooth. One of the largest benefits of an implant is that it is attached to the bone where the missing tooth once was. This helps to maintain the bone in the jaw and also gives the implant a more natural function and feel.
  • Inlay – An inlay is a restoration that can be attached to three sides of the tooth. Inlays can look like your natural teeth, or if placed on the back teeth can also be made of gold.
  • Onlays – Onlays are similar to inlays, except that they cover the chewing surface of the molars and can be subjected to more stress than an inlay.

Overview

Restorative dentistry is a wide branch of dentistry that can help to restore your teeth and smile to what it was before you experienced trauma or another type of developmental issue. If you think that any type of restorative dentistry could be an option for you, please contact our offices today to schedule your initial appointment and evaluation.

General Dentistry FAQs

Why should I go to the dentist regularly?

The reason for going to the dentist regularly is important so that your dentist may detect cavities or tooth decay in its early stage.

How often should I visit the dentist?

At Andrew J. Holloman, DDS & Associates, we recommend that you visit and have a regular dental checkup every six months. For those with dental issues, rule of thumb is every 3-4 months.

Why are Dental X-Rays needed?

Dental X-Rays are a must because it’s a great diagnostic tool that can help your dentist see any damage or disease that is not visible to the naked eye.

Why should I floss, isn't brushing enough?

Flossing contributes to good dental hygiene. It is an excellent way to clean your teeth, remove dental plaque, and prevent cavities together with brushing your teeth.

How can I prevent cavities?

Good oral and dental hygiene can help you avoid cavities and tooth decay. Here are some tips which can help you prevent them:

✓ Ask about antibacterial treatments
✓ Avoid frequent snacking and sipping
✓ Brush with fluoride toothpaste after eating or drinking
✓ Consider dental sealants
✓ Consider fluoride treatments
✓ Eat tooth-healthy foods
✓ Rinse your mouth with mouthwash
✓ Visit Andrew J. Holloman, DDS & Associates regularly

What is fluoride and why is it important to dental health?

Fluoride is an important part to include in your oral and dental health as it prevents cavities and strengthens enamel.

How often should I brush and floss my teeth?

We recommend you to brush your teeth twice a day for about 2 minutes with a fluoride toothpaste and floss at least once a day before or after you brush.

Can tooth decay be reversed?

It is only reversible when it affects the enamel of the tooth. Once decay progresses, it is physically impossible to reverse a tooth decay. It’s important to have your dentist spot the decay in its very early stages to avoid the drill.

Do I need to fix my chipped tooth?

Yes, you should plan to have your tooth repaired especially if it’s chipped. A chipped tooth equals a significant loss of tooth structure and can contribute to new chips in the future.

What are the most common procedures done by a general dentist?

Patients have to visit their dentists for all sorts of reasons. Here are common procedures done by a general dentist:

✓ Bonding
✓ Braces
✓ Crowns
✓ Dentures
✓ Extraction
✓ Fillings
✓ Invisalign
✓ Root Canal
✓ Teeth cleanings
✓ Teeth whitening
✓ Veneers